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Acquired for Lee in '09, Ramirez joins Phils

Acquired for Lee in '09, Ramirez joins Phils

PHILADELPHIA -- J.C. Ramirez was part of the trade that sent Cliff Lee from Philadelphia to Seattle in 2009. And now, they're in the same clubhouse.

Ramirez, a right-handed reliever, was called up by the Phillies on Saturday. He will take the place of setup man Mike Adams, who landed on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis.

The 24-year-old Ramirez has never pitched in the Majors, and joined the Phillies' farm system when they dealt Lee -- who rejoined the club in 2011 -- for Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont and Tyson Gillies in December 2009.

Ramirez started the 2013 campaign with Doulbe-A Reading, but was quickly promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He had a 6.53 ERA and allowed 40 hits in 30 1/3 innings for Lehigh Valley, but was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and two saves in his last eight games.

The 6-foot-4 native of Nicaragua was greeted with high-fives and pats on the back in the clubhouse. Ramirez is one of five Phillies relievers who did not begin the season with the Major League club, and he got some advice from fellow reliever Justin De Fratus before he throws his first Major League pitch.

"He's excited, but I tried to talk to him a little bit on how to approach things and what type of feelings he's going to get," De Fratus said. "I remember my debut in 2011, and I remember the feeling very clearly. I told him, 'You're going to be nervous, but don't try to fight it. Embrace being nervous, focus on the [catcher's] glove and throw the ball there.'"

Stephen Pianovich is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.